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By Laws

Dana Hills High School
By-Laws
 
Article I-California Educational and Penal Codes Related to School Governance
      The following are reference codes to the California Educational and Penal codes along with a synopsis of the provision. For complete wording, please refer to the reference code in an official California Code book.
 
Section I-General Guidance Provisions of Law
Education Code § 48930                Grants the governing board the authority to allow groups of students to organize a student body organization.
 
Education Code § 48933                Gives guidance on where the ASB organization may deposit its money.
 
                                                      Requires that ASB funds must be spent with the pre-approval of three people: an employee or official from the school district designated by the governing board, the ASB advisor (must be a certificated employee), and a student representative of the ASB organization.
 
Education Code § 48936                Provides guidance for uses of student funds, such as loans to other ASB organizations in the district or loans for permanent improvements to school district property.
 
Education Code § 48937                Requires for the governing board to provide for the supervision of ASB funds.
 
                                                      Allows the governing board to use the school district staff for ongoing audits of ASB funds
 
 
Section II-Fundraising Activity Provisions of Law
 
Education Code § 48932                Authorizes the governing board to allow the ASB to conduct activities, including fundraising. This section also allows the ASB to conduct fundraising during school hours.
 
Penal Code § 319                          Group must be non-profit. (Not ASU) Group must own a tax ID number.  Group must register annually with Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts prior to raffle. Group must distribute 90% of gross receipts to beneficial or charitable organizations.
 
SB 12 and SB 965                         Schools shall comply with the state regulations pertaining to nutritional content of foods sold.
 
Article II-Internal Controls of ASB Funds
     Dana Hills High School ASU will maintain internal controls of business and finances of student activities and funds. These controls will include, but not be limited to (1) segregation of duties related to transactions, (2) independent audits, (3) minutes of all meetings, and (4) adequate coverage of insurance (ASU may charge campus organizations to cover this cost.)
 
      At a minimum of every two years, the Director of Student Activities and the Financial Clerk for the ASU must attend the conference of California Association of School Business Officers for training and update of laws and procedures. Further suggestions for internal controls and other laws and procedures can be referenced through the CASBO accounting manual.
 
Article III-Fundraising
     All fundraising activities held by the Dana Hills ASU or by athletic teams, clubs or organizations must follow California State law and Capistrano Unified School District board policy.
 
      Dana Hills ASU has the sole right to authorize fundraising activities by all athletic teams, booster clubs, campus clubs and campus organizations. This includes activities, dates, times, locations on campus and the use of the name Dana Hills High School, Dolphins or variations upon, and the use of the Dolphin logo. Permission to use the name, mascot or logo must be approved by the ASU Student Council.
 
Article IV-Gifts and Donations
      The Dana Hills ASU Student Council may accept gifts or donations when authorized for approval by the CUSD School Board, or authorized designee. The gift or donation must be clearly determined as to whether it is for the students or the district, the cost of installation or maintenance, and must be declared for audit.
 
Article V-Roles and Duties of Elected ASU Officials
 
Section I-The ASU President
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU President.
  • The President shall act as the first citizen of Dana Hills High School and represent the school as such.
  • The President shall conduct all formal meetings of the ASU Student Council.
  • The President shall set the agenda for all Student Council meetings and present them to the Commissioner of Records one day in advance for the Student Union to view.
  • The President shall coordinate the actions of the Student Council and work with officers in planning their activities. The President will keep a flow calendar up to date and devise strategies to ensure that all members are working effectively and collaboratively.
  • The President shall address the Student Senate during the first month of each semester to give a State of the School address.
  • The President shall be considered a member ex-officio of all Campus Clubs but may not be a voting member unless counted in active membership of the club. The President must attend three community service or academic club meetings each semester.
  • The President must attend all ASU sponsored events.
  • The President, under supervision of the Director of Student Activities, shall evaluate the members of the Student Council Executive Board. In addition, the President, along with the Executive Board, will evaluate the remaining members of the Student Council.
  • The President shall be Chair of the Appointments Committee for all appointments to and within the Student Council.
  • The President shall work closely with the Director of Student Activities to maximize the quality of student life at Dana Hills High School.
  • The President, or designee, will attend all regularly scheduled Administrative and PTSA meetings.
  • The President has the power to form ad-hoc committees and follow up on their actions.
  • Make the morning announcements each morning or find a suitable replacement. Added May, 2009
 
Section II-Oath of Office
      “I hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully uphold the office of ASU President, to preserve and promote the good character and school spirit of Dana Hills High School and to carry out my duties to the best of my ability.”
 
Section III-The ASU Vice-President
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Vice-President.
  • The Vice-President will be President over the Student Senate and may not vote unless they be equally divided.
  • The Vice-President must attend all ASU sponsored events.
  • The Vice-President will act as Parliamentarian and must be familiar with all Rules and Procedures as put forth by Roberts Rules of Order.
  • Act as the official spokesperson for the ASU President when they cannot attend events. Added May, 2009
 
Section IV-Class Presidents
      The following are the roles and duties of the Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman Class Presidents.
  • The Class Presidents shall act as chief citizen of their Class and serve on the Executive Board of the Student Council. In addition, they will assist with the interview and nomination process for the remaining appointed offices in Student Council.
  • The Class Presidents shall construct a master calendar of all Class activities and work with the both the Senior Director and Deputy Director of Activities in planning events for their Class.
  • The Class Presidents will be responsible for publicizing and marketing all events for their Class.
  • Class Presidents are responsible for holding monthly meeting for their Class in order to inform and promote activities for their class.
  • Along with the Class Treasurer/Secretary, the Class Presidents will meet with their Faculty Class Advisor to plan and execute events. Meetings with Class Advisor must be documented and kept in the notebook.
  • Each Class President is responsible for sponsoring one dance each school year. The Senior Class is responsible for the Welcome Back dance, the Junior Class is responsible for the Prom, the Sophomore Class is responsible for Winter Formal and the Freshman Class is responsible for the Winter or Spring dance. Net revenues not to exceed $3,000 may be earned by each Class for sponsoring a dance.
  • The Class Presidents are responsible for Homecoming Week activities that include building the Class set for the halftime show and any Class competitions during the week.
  • Working with the Deputy Director of Activities and the Commissioner of Pep, plan monthly class competitions for spirit points.
  • The Class Presidents shall perform other duties as assigned by the ASB President and the Director of Student Activities.
  • The Class Presidents shall attend all Class sponsored activities. Each Class will be responsible for one lunchtime activity per semester.
Additional responsibilities of the Senior Class President include:
  • Homecoming dance
  • Homecoming sets
  • Knott's picnic
  • Senior Awards Night
  • Senior breakfast
  • Senior Slide Show
  • Senior social
  • Senior week activities
  • Test week activities
Additional Responsibilities of the Junior Class President
  • Homecoming set
  • Prom
  • Prom fashion show
Additional Responsibilities of the Sophomore Class President
  • Homecoming set
  • Winter Formal
Additional Responsibilities of the Freshman Class President
  • Homecoming set
  • Winter Dance
 
Section V-The Class Treasurer/Secretary
      The following are the roles and duties of the Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman Class Treasurer/Secretary.
  • Treasurer/Secretary shall keep minutes from all meetings with the Faculty Advisor and all Class meetings. These minutes will be kept in a separate Class notebook and will be passed on until graduation.
  • Treasurer/Secretary, with assistance from the ASU Commissioner of Finance and the ASU Bookkeeper, shall prepare a Class budget and keep track of their Class finances.
  • Treasurer/Secretary shall maintain all Class correspondences as necessary.
  • The Class Treasurer/Secretary shall perform other duties as assigned by the ASB President and the Director of Student Activities.
  • The Class Treasurer/Secretary shall attend all Class sponsored activities
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall collect a budget from each organization with a trust account and monitor spending of said accounts based upon each budget item identified. Added May. 2009
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall collect and monitor all fundraising activities by organizations with trust accounts. This includes applications for fundraisers, projected income statements and summery of revenue statements. These documents will be recorded and logged. Added May. 2009
 
Article VI-Roles and Duties of Appointed ASU Officials
 
Section I-The ASU Commissioner of Records
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Records.
  • The Commissioner of Records shall create, in conjuncture with the ASB President, the meeting agenda for each formal business meeting. This agenda must be posted 24 hours prior to a formal business meeting.
  • The Commissioner of Records shall maintain the minutes of each ASU business meeting and insure that they are accurate. The minutes are to be logged in a notebook and kept in the Activities Clerk’s office for auditing.
  • The Commissioner of Records shall maintain all correspondences as necessary. These may include, but are not limited to thank you notes for faculty or parent volunteers to ASU events, Holiday cards, and business notes.
  • The Commissioner of Records shall attend all ASU sponsored events
  • The Commissioner of Records shall type and submit to the Director of Student Activities an evaluation of all Student Council activities no later than 7 days after the conclusion of the activity. They should ask for input from appropriate Directors Commissioners and Chairpersons.
 
Section II-The ASU Commissioner of Finance
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Finance.
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall work with the ASU Executive Board and the ASU Financial Clerk to create a budget. The budget must be prepared for presentation to the Student Senate before their first meeting of the School year. Failure to present a budget for approval will stop all business transactions by the Student Council.
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall present an oral budget update at each business meeting.
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall submit to the Commissioner of Records, a written log of all Purchase Orders including their P.O. number, description, and amount to be spent and the recorded vote for inclusion into the minutes.
  • The Commissioner of Finance shall prepare a written presentation of the budget updates for the Student Senate at the end of each month.
 
Section III-The ASU Senior Director of Activities
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Senior Director of Activities.
  • The Senior Director of Activities shall be in charge of planning and executing of all school activities planned by the Student Council. They shall receive assistance from the Deputy Director of Activities, various Commissioners and Committee Chairpersons, Class Presidents and Class Treasurer/Secretaries and well as other members of the Student Council.
  • The Senior Director of Activities will oversee or assist other organizations on Campus with the following events
  • Air guitar
  • ASU Banquet
  • Back-to-school dance
  • Battle of the Bands
  • Battle of the Sexes
  • Dolphin Pride Awards
  • Dolphin Pride Week
  • Graduation
  • Homecoming
  • Latinos Unitos danceDeleted May, 2009
  • Oldies Night Deleted May, 2009
  • Registration
  • Staff holiday luncheon Deleted May, 2009
  • Stussy Sales Deleted May, 2009
  • Serve as ASU liaison to the Link Crew. Added March, 2012
  • Create one major campus beautification project each semester. Added March, 2012
  • Blood drives. Added March, 2012
  • Black History Month. Added March, 2012
  • Constitution Week. Added March, 2012
  • Red Ribbon Week. Added March, 2012
  • Canned Food Drive. Added March, 2012
  • Book Drive for R.H. Dana. Added March, 2012
  • Warm Coat Drive. Added March, 2012
  • Design a method of maintaining a clean campus. Added March, 2012
  • The Senior Director of Activities will work with the Commissioner of Pep with regards to lunchtime activities, class competitions and with the Commissioner of Community Service of the various activities promoted within this division. Added March, 2012
  • Each Wednesday, contact the coach of each sport in season to gather their nomination and reasons for Athlete-of-the-Week. Added March, 2012
  • Maintain a set up crew responsible for setting up tarps and bleachers for (1) Pep assemblies, (2) Class meetings, (3) Intramural events and (4) school assemblies. Added March, 2012
  • Organize all Student Council hospitality functions. Added March, 2012
  • Serve as ASU liaison to the Link Crew. Added March, 2012
  • Create one major campus beautification project each semester. Added March, 2012
  • Decorate for all events. Maintain an inventory log of decoration supplies and keep ASU stocked properly. Added March, 2012
  • Responsible for moral building of ASU through activities such as, but not limited to: bonding days, Secret Santa, birthdays, monthly food run. Added March, 2012
  • Keep current the past President pictures in the ASU Cabinet room. Added March, 2012
  • The Senior Director of Activities will work with the Commissioner of Pep with regards to lunchtime activities, class competitions and with the Commissioner of Health, Education and Welfare of the various activities promoted within this division.
 
Section IV-The ASU Senior Director of Communications
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Senior Director of Communications.
  • The Senior Director of Communications shall be in charge of the promotion and advertisement of all school activities planned by the Student Council. They shall receive assistance from the Deputy Director of Communications, Technical Services, various Commissioners and Committee Chairpersons, Class Presidents and Class Treasurer/Secretaries and well as other members of the Student Council.
  • The Senior Director of Communications will assist the clerk with updating the marquee at the beginning of each school week.
  • Make the morning announcements each morning. Deleted May, 2009
  • Create a “Spirit Banner” (calendar) of the month’s activities around the school to hang in the Mall area.
  • Keep a system where clubs and organizations can place announcements in the school bulletin, on the marquee or on the club board. All announcements must be pre-approved by the Director of Student Services.
  • Maintain supplies for making posters, banners and other necessities of publicizing events.
  • Work with the Commissioner of Public Relations in providing local media, including The Splash, The Paper andThe Mast with information regarding the successes of Dana Hills and upcoming events involving Dana Hills.
  • Contact each coach or team captain by the morning after their competition in order to collect the necessary information for the morning announcements and news releases to publications. Added March, 2012.
  • At the beginning of each week, work with the Activities Clerk in monitoring the Marquee of all athletic events and news. Added March, 2012.
  • Monitor and maintain a bulletin board in the Mall on athletic events and results. Added March, 2012.
  • Arrange and coordinate Teacher Appreciation Week, the Teacher-of-the-Year awards, Secretaries Day and a Support Staff Appreciation Day. Added March, 2012.
  • On the first of each month, contact the coach of each sport in season to gather their nomination and reasons for Athlete-of-the-Month. Added March, 2012.
  • Maintain a log of all sports team’s results and of Athlete-of-the-Week and Athlete-of-the-Month. Added March, 2012.
  • Be directly responsible for Student-of-the-Month and Teacher-of-the-Month awards.
  • Arrange and coordinate Teacher Appreciation Week, the Teacher-of-the-Year awards, Secretaries Day and a Support Staff Appreciation Day. Added March, 2012.
 
 
Section V-The ASU Deputy Director of Activities
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Deputy Director of Activities.
  • To assist the Director of Activities with their duties and to step into the role of Director when the Director is unable to perform their duties.
  • Notify staff one week in advance of any activities that would be a change in the standard school day. This should be done both by email and by placing documents in teacher and staff mailboxes in the office. Information that should be provided would include dates, time and location of the activities as well as any seating and supervision assignments.
  • Maintain and publish a Month-at-a-Glance calendar in the ASU Council Room keeping current all upcoming events, committee planning meetings and monitoring the progress of each project.
  • Working with the Class Presidents and the Commissioner of Pep, plan monthly class competitions for spirit points.
 
Section VI-The ASU Deputy Director of Communications, Technical Services
            The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Senior Director of Communications.
  • Be responsible for the organization, maintenance, and physical condition of all ASU electronic sound and video equipment.
  • Aid interested members of ASU in the use of sound and video equipment.
  • The Deputy Director of Communications, Technical Services shall assist in the promotion and advertisement of all school activities planned by the Student Council. They shall receive assistance from the Senior and Deputy Directors of Activities, the Director of Communications, various Commissioners and Committee Chairpersons, Class Presidents and Class Treasurer/Secretaries and well as other members of the Student Council.
  • Chair the committee of Technical Publicity. This committee is responsible for the following duties:
  • Gathering photographs and video of all ASU activities and campus clubs, organizations and athletic events for distribution to local media outlets. In addition, the committee will maintain a file on record of parental release statements for photographic release of students. Deleted May, 2009
  • Serve as a liaison between ASU and the Video Production class. Deleted May, 2009
  • Provide a complete inventory of all equipment at the end of each semester.
  • Create videos for the promotion of all ASU events. Deleted May, 2009
  • Create a video of the halftime show of Homecoming and the highlights of the Air Guitar show.
  • Create an introductory video of life at DHHS, giving a general overview of the various activities offered on campus. This video will be used at promotional functions such as 8thGrade Parent Night, Link Crew orientation, and for others to gain insight to student life at Dana Hills.
 
Section VII-The ASU Director of Clubs
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Director of Clubs.
  • The ASU Director of Clubs is to act as a liaison between the Student Council and the Inter-Club Council.
  • It is the responsibility of the Director of Clubs to organize for the following:
  • Coordination of Club Rush. This will entail identifying two dates before the end of September to promote the campus organizations to the members of the student body.
  • Keep track of the official charters for each club on campus. In addition, the Director of Clubs will instruct and monitor each officially chartered club in keeping the club minutes of meetings, financial transactions, calendars and web sites.
  • The Director of Clubs will continually provide both school/community service opportunities as well as fundraising opportunities to all chartered clubs.
 
Section VIII-The ASU Commissioner of Athletics
      The position of ASU Commissioner of Athletics was deleted. Deleted by ASU 2/22/12, by Senate 4/27/12
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Athletics.
  • Contact each coach or team captain by the morning after their competition in order to collect the necessary information for the morning announcements and news releases to publications.
  • At the beginning of each week, work with the Activities Clerk in monitoring the Marquee of all athletic events and news.
  • Monitor and maintain a bulletin board in the Mall on athletic events and results.
  • Each Wednesday, contact the coach of each sport in season to gather their nomination and reasons for Athlete-of-the-Week.
  • On the first of each month, contact the coach of each sport in season to gather their nomination and reasons for Athlete-of-the-Month.
  • Maintain a log of all sports team’s results and of Athlete-of-the-Week and Athlete-of-the-Month.
  • Work with the Commissioner of Pep and Deputy Director of Activities in arranging pep rallies.
  • Arrange a spirited intramural athletic program. This may include, but not be limited to, ping-pong, ultimate Frisbee, basketball and volleyball. Deleted May, 2009
  • Maintain a set up crew responsible for setting up tarps and bleachers for (1) Pep assemblies, (2) Class meetings, (3) Intramural events and (4) school assemblies.
 
Section IX-The ASU Commissioner of Pep
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Pep.
  • Plan and coordinate a fall, winter and spring sports pep rally. This will include providing written scripts for approval to the administration 3 Mondays prior to all pep rallies. In addition, the set up of any facilities are to be coordinated by this office.
  • Contact other campus groups about participation in rallies prior to submitting scripts for approval. These groups may include the band, pep squad, dance teams, or other performance groups.
  • Plan and coordinate a Homecoming pep rally.
  • Be master of Ceremonies at all pep rallies.
  • Assist with Homecoming Week activities.
  • Working with the Class Presidents and the Director of Activities, plan weekly lunchtime activities and class competitions.
  • Keep tract of spirit points throughout the year between classes.
  • Organize Battle of the Sexes Week, including, but not limited to: lunchtime activities, maintaining the trophy, keeping score of events and the planning and execution of the pep rally and dance. Added May, 2009

 
Section X-The ASU Commissioner of Health, Education and Welfare
      The position of ASU Commissioner of Health, Education and Welfare was deleted. Deleted by ASU 2/22/12, by Senate 4/27/12
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Health, Education and Welfare.
  • The ASU Commissioner of Health, Education and Welfare shall be in charge of planning and executing of all school activities related to the health and well-being of the students of Dana Hills High School.
  • Assigned duties include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Anti-tobacco campaign
  • Blood drives
  • Black History Month
  • Canned food drive
  • Constitution Week
  • Red Ribbon Week
  • Design a method of maintaining a clean campus.
 
Section XI-The ASU Commissioner of Public Relations
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Public Relations.
  • Act as a liaison between the community and the school in all activities related to Dana Hills by monthly providing news media, PTSA and Dolphin Force with information about upcoming events and successes of Dana Hills, its ASU and its students. This may be done via phone, fax, mail or email.
  • Act as the official spokesperson for the ASU President when they cannot attend events. Deleted May, 2009
  • Make morning announcements when the Senior Director of Communications is unavailable. Deleted May, 2009
  • Work with the Senior and Deputy Directors of Communications in promoting all events on campus.
  • Maintain the ASU Student web site with the assistance of the Director of Student Activities. Deleted May, 2009
 
Section XII-The ASU Commissioner of Student Relations
      The following are the roles and duties of the ASU Commissioner of Student Relations.
  • Organize all Student Council hospitality functions.
  • Serve as ASU liaison to the Link Crew.
  • Be directly responsible for Student-of-the-Month and Teacher-of-the-Month awards.
  • Create one major campus beautification project each semester.
  • Arrange and coordinate Teacher Appreciation Week, the Teacher-of-the-Year awards, Secretaries Day and a Support Staff Appreciation Day.
 
Section XIII-Deputy Director of Communications, Video Services (Position added May, 2009)
  The following are the roles and duties of the Deputy Director of Communications, Video Services.
  • Gathering photographs and video of all ASU activities and campus clubs, organizations and athletic events for distribution to local media outlets. In addition, the committee will maintain a file on record of parental release statements for photographic release of students.
  • Serve as a liaison between ASU and the Video Production class.
  • Create videos for the promotion of all ASU events.
  • Create a video of the halftime show of Homecoming and the highlights of the Air Guitar show.
  • Create an introductory video/slide show of life at DHHS, giving a general overview of the various activities offered on campus. This video will be used at promotional functions such as 8thGrade Parent Night, Link Crew orientation, and for others to gain insight to student life at Dana Hills.
 
Section XIV-Commissioner of Intramurals (Position added May, 2009)
  The following are the roles and duties of the Commissioner of Intramurals.
  • Arrange a spirited intramural athletic program.
  • This should include, but not limited to ping-pong and dodge ball.
 
Article VII-Election Campaigns
Candidates for ASU and Class office must abide by all campaign guidelines set forth by these by-laws and stated in the campaign application process. Failure to abide by these by-laws will result in the disqualification of the candidate.
 
Section I-Campaign Spending Limits
      Candidates for all offices will be limited to $50 total for their campaign. A detailed list of expenditures and receipts must be turned in to the Commissioner of Records prior to approval of any campaign posters, literature or paraphernalia to be distributed to the Student Union. All campaign materials for distribution or public display must be submitted to the Director of Student Activities for approval on the Friday before Campaign Week. No changes may be made to materials after they are approved for use. Any changes will result in disqualification.
 
Section II-Gifts to eligible voters
      No candidate or their campaign supporters may pass out monies, candies or other prizes to influence voters. Distribution of these items will result in disqualification.
 
Section III-Election Results
      All candidates for all office must remove their campaign materials from campus by 3:30 pm of Election Day. Once campaign signs are down, the Commissioner of Records will announce the results and date and time of any run off elections. Deleted May, 2009
 
The Commissioner of Records will announce the results of the election, including date and time of any run off election. All candidates for office must remove their campaign materials from campus after the results are announced, unless involved in a run off election. Added May, 2009
 
 

 
Article VIII-Student Amendments
First Amendment-Formal Dance Contracts
  • Single contracts will be made available for Homecoming and Winter Formal dances. Prom shall be limited to couples-only contracts.
  • The price of a singles contract will be $5 more than half of the couples contracts.
  • Amendment was proposed by the Legislative Council in 2007, passed and ratified unanimously by the ASU Cabinet in 2007.
 
Second Amendment-Formal Dance Contracts
  • Single contracts will be made available for Homecoming, Winter Formal and Prom dances.
  • The price of a singles contract will be $5 more than half of the couples contracts.
  • Amendment was proposed by the Legislative Council in 2009, passed and ratified unanimously by the ASU Cabinet in 2009.